Amjad Khan out for nine months

Kent pace bowler Amjad Khan has been ruled out of the 2007 season following surgery on his cruciate ligament. He picked up the knee injury less than two weeks ago at a fast bowling camp in Chennai and flew home at the start of England A's tour of Bangladesh.

Khan, born in Denmark, is expected to be out of action for around nine months, meaning he will miss the first season where he was qualified to play for England. Khan has been highly talked about on the county scene and was being watched closely by various coaches.

Kent chief executive, Paul Millman, said: "It is cruel timing for Amjad. Losing [him] for the 2007 season is a significant blow for the county but with the assistance of the ECB medical team we must now focus our attention on working hard with Amjad on his rehabilitation so that he can return to full form and fitness as soon as possible."

Simon Timson, the ECB Science and Medicine Manager, added that there is a strong team helping Khan's recovery. "ECB and Kent medical personnel have been working closely together to ensure that Amjad receives the best medical care and will continue to do so to ensure that he receives the best possible support through his rehabilitation.

"Nimmo Reid, Kent's physiotherapist, will lead Amjad's rehabilitation and will work closely with the ECB medical panel. The excellent rehabilitation resources at the National Cricket Centre at Loughborough University will be available to Amjad through his rehabilitation."

Last season Khan claimed 34 wickets at 30 in nine first-class matches and was named in England's preliminary 30-man World Cup squad before finding a place on the A tour.